JDAI at 25

The Annie E. Casey Foundation launched its Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) 25 years ago. This results report, which draws on eight years of JDAI data, tells how participating sites have achieved significant and — in many cases — long-lasting reductions in rates of juvenile incarceration and juvenile crime.

Readers will also learn what’s next. The report shares key challenges and also new goals, tools and strategies for JDAI sites to consider as they look to enhance their work and advance the initiative’s remarkable track record of success.

In This Report, You’ll Learn

Data on how JDAI sites have reduced rates of juvenile incarceration and juvenile crime.

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Current roadblocks to juvenile detention reform.

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New tools and strategies for advancing JDAI efforts.

Key Takeaway

JDAI’s success is well documented — and widespread

Twenty-five years ago, Casey launched JDAI in an effort to reduce our nation’s overreliance on detention. Today, participating sites across America have reported significant drops in their total juvenile detention population. These reductions range from 35% in the South to more than 50% among sites in the West.

Findings & Stats

The JDAI Difference, Part 1

Pre-JDAI, sites reported logging an additional 1.4 million days of detention each year.

The JDAI Difference, Part 2

JDAI cut admissions to juvenile detention facilities in half — by about 90,000 admissions per year.

The JDAI Difference, Part 3

In 2016, nearly 130 sites reported that juvenile crime had fallen well below pre-JDAI levels — a reduction of more than 40%, on average, across all indicators evaluated.

Statements & Quotations

JDAI has always emphasized the critical importance of data-driven policies and decision making as a core element of detention reform.

The results reports also show that important challenges remain, including the persistence of racial and ethnic disparities and loss of detention reform momentum in some sites, characterized by rising lengths of stay.